Wire stylus and method and means of feeding same



WIRE STYLUS AND METHOD AND MEANS OF FEEDING SAME Filed March 1.4, 1930 Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES ATEN'uoFFlcE FRANK L. Cams, on MILFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOB. T COLU BIA 'rrroivoenern COMPANY, INC., on BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A co-RroRA'rIoNon vEw YORK WIRE STYLUS AND METHOD AND MEANS OF FEEDING- SAME.

Application filed March 14, 1930. Serial No. 435,824.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in sound reproduction or recording apparatus and has particular relation to such apparatus employing a stylus 1n the formof a length of wire adapted to be fed forwardly after each playing operation, if required, to compensate for wear.

An object of the invention 'isto provide an improved means for feeding and controlling the feed of a wire stylus whereby'to 1nsure that the same will not be fed forward in excess of the required distance.

Another object is to provide a wire stylus feeding means so arranged and constructed that it is a simple task to thread the wire into place in the initial loading or assembling operation or in renewing the stylus from time to time as may be required.

A further object is to provide a wire stylus feeding and gauging mechanism wherein all of the parts are mounted on a pick-up or reproducer or recorder or other means in connection with which the wire stylus is to be used, whereby, no additional weight is added to the vibrating part and nothing of a character to rattle and prevent successful recording or reproducing is associated with the vibrating parts.

An additional object is to provide a wire stylus feeding means adapted to be mounted on a plate or other support, whereby to provide a unitary structure, which may be ap plied as an additionto a pick-up or other mechanism at present in use and having relation to the recording or reproducing of sound.

Another object is to provide an improved means for holding the reserve portion of the wire stylus.

Yet another object is to provide, in combi- 40 nation with a pick-up or reproducer, equipped with stylus wire feeding means, and its supsort or mounting means, means for automatically feeding the stylus when the pick-up or reproducer is elevated, should the wire stylus project less than a determined distance.

A further object is to provide a stylus, oblong in cross section, the stylus in its direction of greatest cross-sectional length being adapted to fit cross wise in a record groove.

Another object is'to provide a stylus of non-magnetic material whereby as minute particles of the stylus are worn away, they will not be attracted tothe pick-up by its magnet and interfere with the free movement of the armature and the stylus feeding means if one is used. a

. Withthe foregoing and other objects in view as will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention includes certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed. In the accompanying drawing and in the follow ing description a single embodiment of the invention is shown and described indetail. However, it is to be understood that this disclosure is purely for the purpose of mak ing clear the construction and operation of the invention and is not'to be considered in a limiting sense, since various changes in con struction, proportion, combination and arrangement of parts will readily suggest them selves to those skilled in the art and reference must therefore be had to the annexed claims for a definition of the limitations of the invention. r Y

- In the accompanying drawing :1

Flgure 1 is a perspective view showing a pick-up equipped according to the present invention and associated with a'record shown fragmentarily. 1 i

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View showing the complete unit comprising the stylus feeding means showing the same associated with a stylus arm or bar of a pick-up. r

Fig. 3 is a view looking toward the right atFig.2. V

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; p i

Fig. 5 isa sectional view .on the line 5- 5 of Fig. 2; V v

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 4:. i

Fig. 7 is an elevational view showing the automatic stylus feeding means parts of the gagging and feeding means being omitted; an

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, greatly enlarged of the stylus.

Referring in detail to the drawing at 10 is a fragment of a turntable or any of the usual type driven by any suitable means (not shown) and on which is disposed a record, a fragment of which is shown at 11. Disposed above the record in position to reproduce the subject matter recorded thereon is a pick-up 12 pivotally supported between the arms of the forked end 13 of the pick-up support or arm 14. j

The pick-up disclosed is of a well known type now on the market and while the invention is disclosed as applied to this pick-up it is to be understood thatit is equally applicable to other types and makes of pickup and that fundamentally the invention is also applicable to different-styles and types of acoustic 'reproducers. Therefore, wherever in the following disclosure and claims the words pick-up are used it is intended that they should cover'not only an electric pick-up but any other device or apparatus used in the recording or reproducing of sound and employing a stylus for operating in the sound groove of a record or for forming the sound groove of a record.

The wire stylus feeding arrangement of the present invention as shown is adapted to be applied or secured to the under-side of a pick-up. 7 To this end the device includes a mounting plate 15 having an upturned side 16 and a cut out as at 17 to straddle a stylus holder 7 18 rigid with the armature (not shown) of the pick-up 12 as is well known.

Mounted in suitable hearings on the plate 15 is a serrated roller 19 of such diameter that as shown it enters an opening provided for that purpose in the plate 15. Disposed slightly above the roller 19 is a second roller or shaft 20 secured to one end of which is a ratchet wheel 21, the ratchet wheel operating through a slot or opening in the plate 15 whereby the ratchet wheel may be of appreciable diameter and yet not project too far below the base or mounting plate 15.

A spring 22 is secured to plate 15 as by screws 23 and at its forward end the spring is bifurcated and the arms 24 of the bifurcated portion are bent up and over so as to bear down on the end portions of the shaft or roller 20 tendingto move the same into engagement with the roller 19.

WVire 25 formingthe stylus is passed between the rollers 19 and 20 and enters or engages upon an upturned portion 26 having a groove 27 for guiding the stylus into the entrance opening 28. (see Fig. 6) ofthe stylus holder 18 through which the wire passes to project as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 Whenthreading the wire into the device it is but necessary to pass it between the rollers 19 and 20 positioning it with regard to the notch 29 in spring 22 and as the wire passes between the rollers it engages in the slot 27 and is guided through to the opening 28 of the holder 18. tating the ratchet wheel 21.

After the wire has entered the opening in the stylus holder 18 in order to insure that it will project only the proper distance it is fed the remainder of the way by means which will now be described.

Pivotally mounted on the upstanding edge portion 16 of the plate 15 is an operating lever 30 pivoted as at 31 and having its forward end 32 laterally offset and entering the opening 33 in one end of a pivoted connecting link or member 34 pivoted as at 35 and having its opposite end intur-ned as at 36. Disposed about the pivot 35 of the connecting link or member 34 is a spring 37 having its ends extended as at 38 and 39. End 39 of spring 37 is anchored to the base plate as shown in Fig. 3 while end 38 of the spring engages under the forward portion 40 of member 34 urging the same upwardly and normally maintaining the member in the position shown in Fig. 3.

As its forward corners plate 15 is provided with upstanding bearing lugs 41 between and on which is pivotally mounted a gauge or limiting device 42. The gauge 42 includes a central portion 43 adapted to be moved to operate as will later be described.

One of the bearings for the gauge 42 is extended as at 44 and disposed about this bearing is a spring 45 an end 46 of which is anchored to the base plate and the end 47 of which engages a pin 48 carried by a dog or pawl 49 pivoted to an extension 50 of the gauge 42. As shown dog or pawl 49 is positioned to engage the ratchet wheel 21.

lVhile the device described will operate on wires of various materials and shapes it is preferred that the wire stylus, however short or long, be of non-magnetic material and of the cross sectional shape shown in Fig. 8. The stylus wire is gradually worn away during use, and if of magnetic material, the particles of the stylus will be attracted into the Working parts by the permanent magnet of the pick-up and tend to clog them. Vith the wire somewhat rectangular in cross section and of a size to fit cross-wise in the record groove the stylus will not shoulder and ride V on the upper edges of the side walls of the groove."

Also, means are provided for holding a considerable quantity or length of stylus Wire 25. This means includes a cage 50 comprising a base 51 and upstanding fingers 52 having their upper ends inturned as at 53. A disc 54 carrying a core 55 is disposed on the inturned portions of'fingers 52, with the core within the cage 50. i 7

Any suitable means may be used for holding the parts against rotation, a screw 56 being illustrated. Cage 50 is so positioned as to'have one of the fingers 52 located to align the stylus 25 with the notch 29 as it The wire is fed by roleaves the cage, at point 57. Core 55 (see Fig. 2) acts as a guide against which the wire slides as the wire is drawn from its coiled position in the cage'50. F romFig. 4 it will be apparent that the wire, when in the holder or cage bears against fingers 52 and that it may be dropped into the cage'and the disc '54 thereafter applied.

As best shown in Fig. 6, the stylus holder 18, comprises a core 60, having a V-shaped groove therethrough, the core being enclosed by a cap or shell 61 crimped as at 62 to align with the groove of the core, whereby the entrance opening 28 is provided.

In'the operation of the device assuming that the wire stylus 25 has been fed into the opening 28 of the stylus support or bar 18, the free end of lever 30 is pressed in the direction of plate 15 to feed the wire. This depression of lever 30 results in lever 34 being rocked about its pivot 35, againstthe action of spring 37. As the inturned end 36 of lever 34 moves downwardly spring 45 acts, turning gauge 42 on its pivots and moving portion 43 into the path of movement of the wire through the holder.

With movement of gauge 42 to the extent indicated, the pawl 49 will be lowered a distance sufficient to engage the next tooth of ratchet wheel 21. When the pressure on lever 30 is released, spring 37 acts to return the parts to their normalposition, this movement including elevating pawl 49 resulting in the ratchet wheel being moved one tooth and the stylus being fed forwardly a predetermined distance.

As the described action in depressing the lever 30 is repeated, the stylus is fed forwardly and when the stylus projects from holder 18, a distance such that portion 43 of the gauge 42 engages the projecting portion of the stylus, there will be no further feeding of the stylus. This is true although the lever may be repeatedly depressed.

Unless the pawl 49 moves down a sufficient distance to engage the next tooth of ratchet wheel 21 there will be no feeding of the stylus and when the portion 43 of the gauge comes into contact with a projecting end of the stylus, movement of the gauge by the spring 45 ceases. Provided the stylus is projecting the required distance contact of portion 43 of the gauge, therewith, occurs before the pawl has moved downward a distance suificient to engage the next tooth of the ratchet.

From the foregoing it will be seen that with the present apparatus the stylus will never be fed forwardly to project a distance greater than that represented by the amount of forward feeding involved in one feeding operation plus the distance from the end of the holder 18 to the inside surface of portion 43 when the gauge is in position to place 43 in line with the end of the holder 18.

One advantage resulting from the use of the curved guide 26 is that it keeps the wire 25 longitudinally curved'and thereby tends to prevent it from becoming twisted. This function is assisted by the other parts since the wire is gripped between the rollers 19 and 20 and fits through the passageway provided for it in the holder 18. Further, the

guide 26 resists any tendency of'the wire to move back through the holder 18 due to the weightof the pick-up on the wire'when in use. The wire presses up against the guide during the playing of a record.

As best shown in Fig. 7 the arm 14 may be equipped with an extension :57 integral therewith or rigidly secured thereto, to automatically operate lever 30 to feed the stylus. Extension 57 projects downwardly and is later ally offset or provided witha projectionv 58 over which extends the free endof lever 30' similar to the hand operated lever 30 of the other figures.

It will be understood that owing to the bend at 59 in lever 30 as the pick-up is swung upwardly onits pivots its bent portion will be drawn over projection 58 resultingin depressing the lever to actuate the feeding mechanism as'previously described. Since the pickup 12 will be elevated at the end of the playing of each record the stylus will be kept properly adjusted without particular attention on the part of the operator. 7

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a sound reproducing means, the combination of a pick-up, a stylusformed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting'saidstylus, means for gripping said stylus, and a movable lever mounted upon the pickup independent of said stylus bar for operating said gripping means to have the same performas a' feeding means and feed the stylus through the'stylus bar. i

2. In a sound reproducing :machine, the combinationof a pick-up, a stylus formedof fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means independent of saidstylus bar for gripping said stylus, andmeans including a pivotally mounted lever also independent of said stylus bar for operating said gripping means whereby the latter performs as a feeding means to feed the stylus through the stylus bar.

3. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means for feeding said stylus forwardly, and meanspreventingoperation of said feeding means when the stylus projects a predetermined distance beyond-the stylus ban j 4. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means for feeding said stylus through said bar, and means preventing operation of sa'id feeding means when the stylus projects a predetermined distance beyond the stylus bar, said last named means including movable means adapted to have its movement prevented by the projecting end portionof the stylus when the latter is projecting a predetermined distance, whereby to prevent further feeding of the stylus.

5. Ina wire stylus feeding means, a receptacle, a coil of wire within the receptacle and held against expansion by the walls thereof, a guide within the receptacle and within the coil of wire, and means securing the guide and receptacle against movement.

. 6. In a sound reproducing means, a pickup, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar supporting said stylus, means independent of said stylus bar for gripping said wire, said means adapted to be operated to feed the wire, and said means including means for limiting the extent of the feed of the wire through the .stylus bar.

7 In a sound reproducing means, a pickup, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar supporting said stylus, means for gripping said stylus, said gripping means operable to feed the stylus through the stylus bar and means operated by said feeding meansfor limiting the extent of feed of the stylus through the stylus bar.

8. In a sound reproducing means, a pickup, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means independent of said stylus bar for gripping the wire, said means adapted to be operated to feed the wire, and means also independent of the stylus bar, for controlling the extent to which the stylus may be projected beyond the stylus bar by said feeding means.

9. In a sound reproducing means, a pickup, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means for gripping said stylus, said gripping means operable to feed the stylus through the stylus bar, and means adapted to prevent operation of the feeding means when the stylus projects at least a predetermined amount beyond the end of the stylus bar.

10. In a sound reproducing means, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus'bar supporting said stylus, means carried by said pick-up for feeding said stylus wire through said stylus bar, guide means for guiding the stylus to the stylus bar, and said guide means positioned whereby to prevent backward movement of the stylus through the stylus bar when the stylus is in playing position.

- 11. In a sound reproducing means, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of fine wire, a stylus bar for supporting said stylus, means for feeding said stylus through said stylus bar, said feeding means including a pair of members adapted to receive the stylus between them, means for rotating one of said members whereby to feed the stylus, and means forpreventing the operation of the means for rotating one of the members when thestylus projects a predetermined distance beyond the stylus bar.

12. In a sound reproducing means, in combination, a pick-up, a support including a pair of arms between and by which said pickup is mounted, a wire stylus feeding means on the pick-up, a projection on the support and between the arms thereof, and said projection adapted to co-operate with the feeding means to operate the same on movement of the pick-up in one direction.

13. In a sound reproducing means, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of a length of fine wire, a stylus bar supporting said stylus, and means carried by said pickup and feeding the wire through the stylus bar, said means including a ratchet wheel and means for imparting a step by step turning movement to said wheel.

14. In a sound reproducing means, the combination of a pick-up, a stylus formed of a length of fine wire, a stylus bar supporting said stylus, and means carried by said pickup and feeding the wire through the stylus bar, said means mounting a ratchet wheel, a pawl to co-operate with said ratchet wheel, a spring means to move said pawl backwardly one tooth on the ratchet wheel and a second spring means to move said pawl forwardly whereby to cause the pawl to carry the ratchet Wheel forwardly one tooth.

15. In a sound reproducing means, a supporting arm for a pick-up, a pick-up mounted on said arm and movable relative thereto, a wire stylus feeding means on said piclcup, said feeding means including a member shiftable'to operate the feeding means, and said pick-up so mounted on said arm as to be movable in one direction to bring said shiftable member into engagement with a portion of the arm to shift the member and operate the feeding means.

16. In a sound reproducing means, a sup porting arm for a pick-up, a pick-up mounted on said arm and movable relative thereto, a wire stylus feeding means on the pick-up, said feeding means including a member shiftable to operate the feeding means, a projection on the arm, and said pick-up so mounted on said arm as to be movablein one direction to bring said shiftable member into engagement with said projection to shift the member and operate the feeding means. Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 7 th day of March A. D. 1930.

a FRANK L. CAPPS. 

